Lorain man’s body found in rural Lorain County field

The body of a Lorain man who has been missing since 2002 was recovered in a field in rural Lorain County June 22, according to a news release.

Clarence Thomas was 31 years old when he went missing from Lorain in October 2002. Family members told police at the time that Thomas was involved with drugs and had “troubles” in his life, according to the release.

Thomas’ family reported him missing in February 2003 and told officers at the time of his disappearance that they believed he had traveled to the borough of Queens in New York City and come to harm there. Thomas had associates there, the release said.

The last person to see Thomas alive was Michael S. York, 48, of West Virginia, who had made statements to the family that Thomas had been killed by someone over outstanding drug debts, the release said.

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Police spoke with Thomas’ family over several years, searching for new leads into his whereabouts. York left the state before he could be questioned by police because of outstanding felony warrants with Lorain County Common Pleas Court. It was discovered that York has been held in prison in West Virginia, serving multiple life sentences for murder in that state, according to the release.

Police believe that York killed Thomas in the city of Lorain in 2002 and transported his body to the rural area, which York was familiar with, the release said.

York was transported back to Lorain County on June 21 in order to be brought before a grand jury, the release said.

On June 22, members of the Lorain Police Detective Bureau and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation unearthed the remains which they believe to be Thomas. Thomas’ family had been informed of the discovery, and the remains were turned over to the Lorain County Coroner’s Office. The cause of death is forthcoming, the release said.

According to the release, the Lorain Police Department has been in contact with the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office and charges related to Thomas’ death will be filed as soon as the Lorain County Coroner’s Office finishes investigating.

The Lorain Police Department said it wishes to thank the Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents, the Lorain County Coroner’s Office, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office and their auxiliary officers, the Lorain County Engineer’s Office, the Lorain Street Department, SRT K-9, land owner John Dovin and residents of the area for their assistance.